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Gregswim - I don't think that Mike is disputing that certain pleco species (Pterygoplichthys etc) have been released in North America but that they are NOT growing 3-4 feet as you said. The pictures you included are of Acanthicus adonis/hystrix which can grow 3-4 feet. Whereas no...

The term 'bristle nose' is widely used as the common name for the genus, Ancistrus, of which, PlanetCatfish currently has a database of 147 different kinds. I think the most commonly found 'bristle nose' in the hobby is Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus, which does not have an L number.

All the sizes from PlanetCatfish are in standard length (SL) which is measured excluding the caudal fin, so 30cm SL will be about 40cm total length (TL) when including the caudal fin. I've seen pictures of specimens quoted at up to 50cm/20".

The deciding factors for the plecs you've mentioned are price and tank size (as all plecs are fine with Corydoras). The 'phantoms' (Blue = Hemiancistrus sp. L128, Green = Hemiancistrus subviridis, Green High Fin = Baryancistrus demantiodes) are pretty much identical in all aspects of care...

You should provide several pieces of bogwood as well for your 'Rusty'. The common name of Rusty pleco is used for Hypostomus cochliodon or something very similar. Their care should be considered the same as Panaque/Royal plecos.

Well .......... it's not Baryancistrus. I could of sworn blind it was. It's either Scobiancistrus (must be L368) or Hypancistrus (likely H. contradens or L201). I'll plump for Hypancistrus due to it's chunky body shape. How big is it?

Yours is a Baryancistrus. But if you can get a picture of it's mouth then it would confirm whether it was Bary/Scobi/Hypancistrus as they have different teeth and mouth shape. The two Baryancistrus that it could be are Baryancistrus cf. niveatus or Baryancistrus sp. L142/LDA033. But I don't know...

It depends where you are. In the UK you'd be lucky to get any money for one. But I've seen them on Japanese sites where they seem to sell for between £100-200, as does Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps, a very similar fish.

I was puzzled at how you recalled nearly every L number for this fish, but omitted it's scientific name, Baryancistrus xanthellus. But anyway, these are probably your best sources of information: Planetcatfish species profile PlanetCatfish COTM article PlanetCatfish article - 'The yellow...

You shouldn't disregard any vegetable or fruit until you've tried it with your own fish. I've found that broccoli is probably the second favourite vegetable of my plecs (mostly Panaque nigrolineatus and armbrusteri - 'Royal plecs'), with sweet potato being their unanimous favourite. What I've...

IME £30+ seems to be the standard price for all 'exotic' plecs in chain stores (Pets@Home, Maidenhead Aquatics) and general independent stores. However, the two shops I frequent most always have a good selection and are much better priced, and luckily (depending where you live) they both deliver...

Pier Aquatics in Wigan is selling tank tred ones for £40.

What makes you think these are carnivorous? Judging by their dentition these are typical algae and bio-film grazers with numerous small teeth similar to Ancistrus and Baryancistrus (and many others). Typically a plec that is more carnivorous will have fewer large teeth like those of...

Is it necessary for another to person say that picture posted by the OP is definitely NOT a Baryancistrus xanthellus (aka 'Gold Nugget')? We'll see.

PlanetCatfish states 30cm SL (without tail), so about 38cm TL (with tail) for Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus. But like it's similar Pterygoplichthys cousins, they can probably get a bit bigger.

Your fish is a Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus, it's one of the 'common plecos' and it's other common names are L001 and 'gold spot pleco'. These fish can vary in their colour and pattern from day to day, and will often become duller with age, so it's normal. Species profile info

Yes, for most shops it is. I'd expect it to be £30 for a 3/4" fish in your average shop. They do get large, about 45cm/18", and produce a lot of waste. But I think they are a very attractive fish and interesting fish. I currently have a 40cm/16" fish (the one in my avatar) and another group of...

It's not L191 because it has red eyes and not green. I'm 99% certain it's Panaque nigrolineatus aka L190, and a picture of it's mouth and teeth would confirm it.

It's a Baryancistrus beggini. They are often incorrectly called 'Blue Panaque'.

They're diet in an aquarium should consist of wood and vegetables and flake/tablet food (in that order).

Depending how long you've had the Royal plec I think it's diet was the problem. It sounds too rich in meaty foods.

Leporacanthicus triactis aka L091.

I've not kept any sort of Otocinclus but what you describe with mollies and other fish eating 'their' food is exactly what I'd expect. Being such small fish they are always likely to get out competed by bolder fish. I suggest that you carry on feeding wafers and other dry foods as they are...

I have 7 L027 Xingu, 1 L027 Tocantins and 1 L027 ? And 3 L190.

Maximus, cause he's a beast! Here's another of my L027 XIngu, the biggest at about 23cm/9".

Perhaps in that picure, but I can assure you it's not.

They will get along fine with Corys. Mopani wood will probably be too hard for them to rasp on so you'll need softer pieces of bogwood. Because your tank won't be able to provide them with enough wood/algae/biofilm you'll need to feed a variety of vegetable and algae wafers. Don't feed much...

Nope, nearly all juvenile Panaque (the Royal plecs) exhibit a transparent caudal fin of some degree but some retain it longer than others. The Brazilian Royals (L027s) tend to lose it faster and the Venezuelan/Colombian Royals (L190, L191, L330) retain it for longer. There are 3 described...

I've had him since September 2009. The tank isn't that large, only 120x60x45cm about 320 litres, I'd like a much larger one for him but for the time being this suffices. It's not L027 Tocantins, definitely L190 Panaque nigrolineatus. Yes there are a few different sorts, 2 described species so...

Here's some of my L027. And my biggest L190, same as my avatar.

Yes I'm sure. Don't rely on common names. Look at these for reference. L191 and L027, the most obvious difference is the colour.

It's L191 btw. He should become bolder with age/size and as he settles in. His diet should consist of wood, vegetables and vegetable based wafer/pellets, and little animal protein.

'Rusty Plec' is the common name for Hypostomus cochliodon (L310), but the majority are actually Hypostomus sp. Paraguay. Either way, £9.50 is a great price, suspiciously low in fact. If it has blue/steel eyes then it's most likely Hypostomus soniae L137, and a steal. I've had one for a couple...

Not for about a year. They are available but due to their price, the UK is outcompeted by other markets, namely Asia.

I was in Rare Aquatics on Monday and made a note of their stock for them. I've been several times now and for catfish they are very very good. They also got a Panaque cochliodon (Blue Eyes Panaque) in this week. Parancistrus aurantiacus 24cm Sold Panaque L418 12-18cm £90 Panaque L204 10-12cm...

I've been measuring my group of Royals for a bit over a year now. Across my group, 13 currently, amongst the 10-20cm fish I've measured a minimum of 3cm and maximum of 7cm. My largest, 40cm, grew 2cm in the past year.

Its a Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus (also L001). IMO your fish is at the very limit of being comfortable in your tank, and as said, should continue to grow and will need a larger tank soon.

Just to clarify there are 2 described species and 1 L-number which are called the 'phantom plecs'. The 2 green species are Hemiancistrus subvridis and Baryancistrus demantiodes (Hi-Fin) both also known as L200, the blue variant is considered Hemiancitrus (sp. L128) and is possibly a Northern...

Its a behavioural adaptation like Anabantoids (bettas and gouramis) but I dont think they have a 'labyrinth' organ as such. I think its confined to the Pterygoplichthys genus, like your L001. Ive seen my P. gibbiceps do it often.

I cant say if a Bristlenose will hassle corydoras but I have some C. leopardus and schwartzi with 11 Panaque 5" to 11" and a 15" Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps and have never seen any aggression directed towards them.